Awards & Results

Notable Case Results

People v. Green (1996) - Represented Mr. Green, who was being prosecuted for the first felony assisted suicide case in over 100 years. All charges were dismissed before trial, allowing Mr. Green to acquire his inheritance.

People v. Perkins (1997) - Represented Mr. Perkins in the first medicinal use of marijuana case in CA after voters approved Proposition 215. All charges were dismissed against Mr. Perkins.

In re Clean Needles Now (1998) - Represented Ms. Edgington and her volunteers who were passing out clean needles to prevent the spread of HIV. Prevented the property owner from evicting the Needle Exchange program, and no criminal charges were filed.

People v. Orange County Visibility League Protestors (1989) - Represented 8 protestors arrested for exercising their First Amendment rights. Charges were dismissed after the completion of trial.

People v. Yedinak (2025) - Represented the defendant in an appeal before the CA court of appeals, establishing published case law that all defendants have the right to post bail regardless of income level.

People v. John Does (1987 - 2000) - Represented hundreds of men arrested and charged with lewd conduct by undercover police officers. Secured numerous jury trial victories and worked with the City/County of Los Angeles to reform lewd conduct enforcement and eliminate the use of undercover police.

Awards & Honors

Featured in the Los Angeles Daily Journal for outstanding legal service in the middle of the AIDS epidemic (1990)

Christopher Street West "Man of the Year" Award for outstanding community leadership and service (1990)

Honored by the California State Assembly for serving as statewide Co-Chair of the LIFE AIDS Lobby, drafting legislation to respond to the AIDS epidemic in California (1991)

Featured on the cover of Los Angeles Lawyer, published by the Los Angeles County Bar Association, for outstanding legal service to the community (1994)

Leadership award presented by AIDS Walk Los Angeles for rescuing the annual event after the 9/11 attacks (2001)

President's Award from Lesbian and Gay Lawyer's Association for outstanding legal service to the LGBT community (2003)

Honored by the California State Assembly for service as legal counsel for ACT UP Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Cannabis Resource Center, the Los Angeles Needle Exchange, and as an animal rights advocate (2008)

"Keeper of the Dream" award presented by the City of West Hollywood for dedication to the principles of justice, equality, and peace (2009)

Lifetime Achievement Award from Equality California for legal/political service to secure marriage equality in California (2009)

Inducted into the Hall of Fame of Western University College of Law for an exemplary legal career and outstanding community service (2010)

Recognition from the City of West Hollywood for 20 years of service from 2000-2020 as Councilmember and Mayor of the City of West Hollywood (2020)

Firm Statistics

Thousands of clients represented over a 37-year career.

Thousands of courtroom appearances, including pre-trial hearings and motions.

Hundreds of cases dismissed or charges reduced.

Thousands of plea agreements successfully negotiated.